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Makes it difficult to decide, do we want a prolific player who fails in pressure situations and matches or do we want a slightly in consistent player but always fires in pressure situations and in big pressure games.

He does not have the ability to be a factor in big run chases, and neither is he someone who can play those extraordinary innings that signal a once in a generation talent.

He is just a prolific scorer who can be easily managed by top teams. There is no wow factor to his batting and he doesn’t have any real presence.

To be honest, even when he is scoring his body language does not inspire much confidence. Something just gives that against tough opponents in tough conditions, he will be very vulnerable. He does not have the ability to counter attack in tough situations and needs an set of relaxed conditions to score runs. I think the team should ideally just let him open the innings so that he can benefit from an early start rather than coming in when a quick wicket has fallen

He does not have the ability to be a factor in big run chases, and neither is he someone who can play those extraordinary innings that signal a once in a generation talent.

He is just a prolific scorer who can be easily managed by top teams. There is no wow factor to his batting and he doesn’t have any real presence.

That is nonsense any guy who can score like Babar will become great. There is no need for any wow factor to be great.Mcgrath did not have any wow factor when he bowled but he was most effective as long Babar scores runs he will be just fine there is no need for any wow factor.

That is nonsense any guy who can score like Babar will become great. There is no need for any wow factor to be great.Mcgrath did not have any wow factor when he bowled but he was most effective as long Babar scores runs he will be just fine there is no need for any wow factor.

He does not have the ability to be a factor in big run chases, and neither is he someone who can play those extraordinary innings that signal a once in a generation talent.

He is just a prolific scorer who can be easily managed by top teams. There is no wow factor to his batting and he doesn’t have any real presence.

Or so we have seen thus far. Don't you think this can be sorted out via a sports psychologist in regards to mental approach when facing pressure, in-game situations? I don't doubt his batting prowess + if Babar can at least make some inroads to mental toughness in his batting, then hopefully we'll be able to see more impactful performances.

Or so we have seen thus far. Don't you think this can be sorted out via a sports psychologist in regards to mental approach when facing pressure, in-game situations? I don't doubt his batting prowess + if Babar can at least make some inroads to mental toughness in his batting, then hopefully we'll be able to see more impactful performances.

I guess the question now would be that would it be too early to make him open in ODIs. I think a lot of people (especially now ) would say yes, but I'd personally want more of a guarantee after a few more games vs top sides at #3.

Babar is a mental midget and doesn't have much confidence in himself. This is why I was amazed to hear in the last few weeks that he should be groomed as the next captain.

In addition it couldn't be more obvious that he plays for milestones and always seems to slow down in the 40s and particularly in the 90s. With this mindset and lack of confidence he will never be able to have that imposing presence and lead from the front.

This has nothing to do with his personality just to make this clear, for instance Kane Williamson is a more passive character however he does have presence whenever he bats particularly in tests.

In ODIs the truth of the matter is Babar Azam is actually regressing - everyone has seen his numbers against non-minnows so I will spare everyone the horror of those stats.

Babar Azam started off with a bang (just like his cousin Umar funnily enough) in his first series against England and New Zealand:

Against top 6 ODI sides if that is not regression, then I don't know what is. That SR is heading to sub 80 and to conclude his average has been inflated by soft runs against the likes of SL, WI and Zimbabawe and doesn't to impose his presence on the opposition. He has yet to produce a decent match winning knock in a chasing scenario of 250+ against top 6 sides. Massively overrated batsman on PP.

nothing new here, at least for me. Sharjeel is our most important odi player. I would trade him for babar in a second. but go on and lather with babar's stats without context.

Sharjeel has 1 century at international level and relies on 4s and 6s to score runs; can't rotate strike to save his life. Would've gotten found out at international level sooner or later. Both Babar and Sharjeel are the product of a failed system and none of them will make a difference to our dismal W/L ratio.

Babar is a mental midget and doesn't have much confidence in himself. This is why I was amazed to hear in the last few weeks that he should be groomed as the next captain.

In addition it couldn't be more obvious that he plays for milestones and always seems to slow down in the 40s and particularly in the 90s. With this mindset and lack of confidence he will never be able to have that imposing presence and lead from the front.

This has nothing to do with his personality just to make this clear, for instance Kane Williamson is a more passive character however he does have presence whenever he bats particularly in tests.

In ODIs the truth of the matter is Babar Azam is actually regressing - everyone has seen his numbers against non-minnows so I will spare everyone the horror of those stats.

Babar Azam started off with a bang (just like his cousin Umar funnily enough) in his first series against England and New Zealand:

Against top 6 ODI sides if that is not regression, then I don't know what is. That SR is heading to sub 80 and to conclude his average has been inflated by soft runs against the likes of SL, WI and Zimbabawe and doesn't to impose his presence on the opposition. He has yet to produce a decent match winning knock in a chasing scenario of 250+ against top 6 sides. Massively overrated batsman on PP.

That's not the point, he is one of our best batsman and would love to see him succeed but unfortunately he is massively overrated among fans, pundits and analysts because they see his 50+ averages in T20Is and ODIs.

The reason why he has reached these accomplishments is due to his risk averse cricket which is great most of the time but when the team needs him to shift up the gears he is unable to do so and thus lacks the impact to win matches by himself.

Sharjeel has 1 century at international level and relies on 4s and 6s to score runs; can't rotate strike to save his life. Would've gotten found out at international level sooner or later. Both Babar and Sharjeel are the product of a failed system and none of them will make a difference to our dismal W/L ratio.

Sharjeel hasn’t played as many games as babar. He outscored babar in Australia, ALWAYS kept his team in the game in terms of runrate.
You may or may not want to go along with that, but that’s a distraction from the core fact babar is not really leading any wins against the big boys

Or so we have seen thus far. Don't you think this can be sorted out via a sports psychologist in regards to mental approach when facing pressure, in-game situations? I don't doubt his batting prowess + if Babar can at least make some inroads to mental toughness in his batting, then hopefully we'll be able to see more impactful performances.

Few things cannot be coached, and Babar is probably the most well-coached batsman in the country. He has been under PCBís wing since he was 13, and has had access to the best coaches and facilities in the country.

You either have the mentality and the character to deliver under pressure or you donít. They are traits and traits cannot be drilled into you.

It is Pakistanís great misfortune that its best batsman in over a decade happens to be a softie.

People can say whatever they want about him but no one will deny that he is the best LOI batsman Pakistan have and that does not look like changing anytime soon.

For me, he's not only the best batsman in Pakistan but also one of the best in the world and he's reached this level at the age of 24. He should only improve from here on out.

Imam, Babar and Haris are 3/4ths of a fantastic top four in both tests and ODIs that should be one of the best in the world for the next decade. All Pakistan needs now is to find a quality second opener to compliment them. Fakhar can be that guy in ODIs, if he manages to get out of his current rut.

Doesnt show the desire to win big games for the team which means he plays for himself.

The batting standards in this team have regressed so much that nobody even talks about match-winning abilities of any batsman. Players are all after averages by scoring cheap runs and then boasting about their hollow achievements on social media.

No batting culture in Pak. It might take years to get rid of this mediocrity.

To be fair yesterday was not a pressure situation. It is not like Babar came in with 4 or 5 down chasing 300. He came in within the first five overs with Pakistan chasing 260 odd and one wicket down. As a number three batsman this is the type of situation you would be facing more often than not. It was just an unlucky soft dismissal.

Having said that Babar is no man of crisis. When it comes to temperament he is more like Younis (talking about Younis in odis only) than Inzi or Miandad.

People can say whatever they want about him but no one will deny that he is the best LOI batsman Pakistan have and that does not look like changing anytime soon.

For me, he's not only the best batsman in Pakistan but also one of the best in the world and he's reached this level at the age of 24. He should only improve from here on out.
Imam, Babar and Haris are 3/4ths of a fantastic top four in both tests and ODIs that should be one of the best in the world for the next decade. All Pakistan needs now is to find a quality second opener to compliment them. Fakhar can be that guy in ODIs, if he manages to get out of his current rut.

The golden age of Pak batsmanship is imminent. Who'd lead this triumvirate though, Babar with his average of 30 or Inzi's nephew? I am tipping the 30 year old Haris with his average of 38.

He also scored a 100 against srilanka in a pressure situation, when 6 batsmen had gotten out. I think Shadab supported him and scored a 50 in that game. Pakistan managed to score 220 in that game and won it. I think that was another good innings under pressure. But yes, the examples are far too few.

People can say whatever they want about him but no one will deny that he is the best LOI batsman Pakistan have and that does not look like changing anytime soon.

For me, he's not only the best batsman in Pakistan but also one of the best in the world and he's reached this level at the age of 24. He should only improve from here on out.

Imam, Babar and Haris are 3/4ths of a fantastic top four in both tests and ODIs that should be one of the best in the world for the next decade. All Pakistan needs now is to find a quality second opener to compliment them. Fakhar can be that guy in ODIs, if he manages to get out of his current rut.

Wake up. Imam is only good for a 70 strike rate. Harris is unproven. Babar only scores vs minnows. Our batting is a complete disaster.

Few things cannot be coached, and Babar is probably the most well-coached batsman in the country. He has been under PCBís wing since he was 13, and has had access to the best coaches and facilities in the country.

You either have the mentality and the character to deliver under pressure or you donít. They are traits and traits cannot be drilled into you.

It is Pakistanís great misfortune that its best batsman in over a decade happens to be a softie.

Yes. Look at Inzy vs Yousuf. One turned up other feasted on WI etc. Babar is a lesser version of Yousuf.

Wake up. Imam is only good for a 70 strike rate. Harris is unproven. Babar only scores vs minnows. Our batting is a complete disaster.

An 80 in 110 balls is bad for chasing 250 or setting a 260 target? Why are people hell bent on Imam's SR? He got out to an unnecessary shot yesterday but if he made that 80 yesterday with a 70 SR, Pakistan would have won yesterday. He played Boult well and just gave away his wicket at the wrong time when he and Malik settled. That's down to inexperience. Look at the techniques of Fakhar and Imam and tell me which one eveokes confidence of a long innings?

Also about Babar, another stupid shot so far away from his body. It's a one off. He is smart enough not to get sucked into a similar shot again. A 40 from him in 60 balls would have won the game yesterday.

The role of these two players is to make sure Pak scores at 4 to 5 rpo without losing wickets in the first 20 overs. They are certainly capable of that.

Wake up. Imam is only good for a 70 strike rate. Harris is unproven. Babar only scores vs minnows. Our batting is a complete disaster.

tbf its looking better than a few years ago when we had Misbah and well that was it..

Babar looks as soft as a care bear at times but we have to give him the experience. He will come good or he will be forgotten. Its that simple. He's only 24 and has some time but he needs to buck up. The opposition will target him since they know we dont really have anyone better..so how to cope?

I do wonder of its time for grant flower to leave. Maybe we need a new batting coach..

tbf its looking better than a few years ago when we had Misbah and well that was it..

Babar looks as soft as a care bear at times but we have to give him the experience. He will come good or he will be forgotten. Its that simple. He's only 24 and has some time but he needs to buck up. The opposition will target him since they know we dont really have anyone better..so how to cope?

I do wonder of its time for grant flower to leave. Maybe we need a new batting coach..

We have been hearing this argument of "he is only [insert current age]" for the likes of Babar etc for 1-2 years now. I have a feeling we will keep hearing it for a few more years.

Fun fact Inzi was only 22 at the time of the 92 WC when he took it by storm. Can you expect tellytubby Bobby to play half as well in a big game as Inzi did in that WC?

Who said Saud isnt another good player? Saud needs to be in the team and i have been his biggest supporter. But I have seen enougg cricket to tell you that Saif Badar has a higher ceiling than even Saud.

Needs to improve his concentration massively. Although the shot he played yesterday was pretty uncharacteristic of him, something he doesn't do very often. Although I think he is still the best we have got in ODI's. Has sort of stagnated, should be improving.

So many expecting a 24 year old to led this teams batting worries out of the hole it's in. When your openers aren't great and you have a middle/lower order that really aren't proper batsmen when comparing to the top 8 teams, what more is expected from this guy?

The worrying fact for Babar is, at the time he came into the team at he should have been the one getting guided by the team and the players around him, instead, people are expecting him to carry the other 5 batsmen in the team on his own.

Instead of focusing on the negatives, focus on the positives, Pakistan finally have one solid batsman in their team that has very few flaws (minus the ones that get nitpicked), instead of coming at him on a regular basis when he fails, the blame should go to the rest of the team that near enough fails every game.

Babar has things to improve on definitely, but calling him a mental midget as he tried to get runs in a powerplay off a freebie? Not sure how that constitutes to being a mental midget, if he blocked that ball, many would say he's too timid. He got out playing a poor shot it happens, the rest of top 6 did the same.

He's never going to be the biggest world beater with the attitude going round here, nor is he going to be when the rest of the batting unit barely performs.

Just at the age of 23 he had 8 ODI hundreds to his name, a 97* in a T20 and a 99 in Tests, along with a Champions Trophy medal scoring decently in a final vs Pakistan's fiercest rivals. That is very impressive early on his career. He's had a slight dip here and there, but too much is expected too soon.

So many expecting a 24 year old to led this teams batting worries out of the hole it's in. When your openers aren't great and you have a middle/lower order that really aren't proper batsmen when comparing to the top 8 teams, what more is expected from this guy?

The worrying fact for Babar is, at the time he came into the team at he should have been the one getting guided by the team and the players around him, instead, people are expecting him to carry the other 5 batsmen in the team on his own.

Instead of focusing on the negatives, focus on the positives, Pakistan finally have one solid batsman in their team that has very few flaws (minus the ones that get nitpicked), instead of coming at him on a regular basis when he fails, the blame should go to the rest of the team that near enough fails every game.

Babar has things to improve on definitely, but calling him a mental midget as he tried to get runs in a powerplay off a freebie? Not sure how that constitutes to being a mental midget, if he blocked that ball, many would say he's too timid. He got out playing a poor shot it happens, the rest of top 6 did the same.

He's never going to be the biggest world beater with the attitude going round here, nor is he going to be when the rest of the batting unit barely performs.

Just at the age of 23 he had 8 ODI hundreds to his name, a 97* in a T20 and a 99 in Tests, along with a Champions Trophy medal scoring decently in a final vs Pakistan's fiercest rivals. That is very impressive early on his career. He's had a slight dip here and there, but too much is expected too soon.

Well Said Champ These People Never Learn And pcb Never Improve Our Cricket Until Run By Morons.

These P Not Criticise M Hafeez , F Zaman And S Malik Who Failed Back To Back In Pressure Situation And They Are Not Good Outside Asia We Know Whynot Give To Chance Proper Batsman Like Saud, Saad, Haris And Hitters Like Amer Yamin , Kamran Ghulam

So many expecting a 24 year old to led this teams batting worries out of the hole it's in. When your openers aren't great and you have a middle/lower order that really aren't proper batsmen when comparing to the top 8 teams, what more is expected from this guy?

The worrying fact for Babar is, at the time he came into the team at he should have been the one getting guided by the team and the players around him, instead, people are expecting him to carry the other 5 batsmen in the team on his own.

Instead of focusing on the negatives, focus on the positives, Pakistan finally have one solid batsman in their team that has very few flaws (minus the ones that get nitpicked), instead of coming at him on a regular basis when he fails, the blame should go to the rest of the team that near enough fails every game.

Babar has things to improve on definitely, but calling him a mental midget as he tried to get runs in a powerplay off a freebie? Not sure how that constitutes to being a mental midget, if he blocked that ball, many would say he's too timid. He got out playing a poor shot it happens, the rest of top 6 did the same.

He's never going to be the biggest world beater with the attitude going round here, nor is he going to be when the rest of the batting unit barely performs.

Just at the age of 23 he had 8 ODI hundreds to his name, a 97* in a T20 and a 99 in Tests, along with a Champions Trophy medal scoring decently in a final vs Pakistan's fiercest rivals. That is very impressive early on his career. He's had a slight dip here and there, but too much is expected too soon.

The guy needs to just bat, everybody else between them need to pick up any slack. If he is gonna average 55 @90 u can't argue. The other guys between them need to do the heavy lifting. It's a team game.
And more often than not 275 is a winning score with our bowling anyway

If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you always got #improve

So many expecting a 24 year old to led this teams batting worries out of the hole it's in. When your openers aren't great and you have a middle/lower order that really aren't proper batsmen when comparing to the top 8 teams, what more is expected from this guy?

The worrying fact for Babar is, at the time he came into the team at he should have been the one getting guided by the team and the players around him, instead, people are expecting him to carry the other 5 batsmen in the team on his own.

Instead of focusing on the negatives, focus on the positives, Pakistan finally have one solid batsman in their team that has very few flaws (minus the ones that get nitpicked), instead of coming at him on a regular basis when he fails, the blame should go to the rest of the team that near enough fails every game.

Babar has things to improve on definitely, but calling him a mental midget as he tried to get runs in a powerplay off a freebie? Not sure how that constitutes to being a mental midget, if he blocked that ball, many would say he's too timid. He got out playing a poor shot it happens, the rest of top 6 did the same.

He's never going to be the biggest world beater with the attitude going round here, nor is he going to be when the rest of the batting unit barely performs.

Just at the age of 23 he had 8 ODI hundreds to his name, a 97* in a T20 and a 99 in Tests, along with a Champions Trophy medal scoring decently in a final vs Pakistan's fiercest rivals. That is very impressive early on his career. He's had a slight dip here and there, but too much is expected too soon.

So many expecting a 24 year old to led this teams batting worries out of the hole it's in. When your openers aren't great and you have a middle/lower order that really aren't proper batsmen when comparing to the top 8 teams, what more is expected from this guy?

The worrying fact for Babar is, at the time he came into the team at he should have been the one getting guided by the team and the players around him, instead, people are expecting him to carry the other 5 batsmen in the team on his own.

Instead of focusing on the negatives, focus on the positives, Pakistan finally have one solid batsman in their team that has very few flaws (minus the ones that get nitpicked), instead of coming at him on a regular basis when he fails, the blame should go to the rest of the team that near enough fails every game.

Babar has things to improve on definitely, but calling him a mental midget as he tried to get runs in a powerplay off a freebie? Not sure how that constitutes to being a mental midget, if he blocked that ball, many would say he's too timid. He got out playing a poor shot it happens, the rest of top 6 did the same.

He's never going to be the biggest world beater with the attitude going round here, nor is he going to be when the rest of the batting unit barely performs.

Just at the age of 23 he had 8 ODI hundreds to his name, a 97* in a T20 and a 99 in Tests, along with a Champions Trophy medal scoring decently in a final vs Pakistan's fiercest rivals. That is very impressive early on his career. He's had a slight dip here and there, but too much is expected too soon.

You have covered it beautifully. Will look out for your posts in the future @RagingJ.

Babar is a good ODI bat, probably the best one in recent times from Pakistan. I think the fans need to keep their emotions in check. He is a good steady batter. He will score runs consistently at a SR of 85-90 and can up the rate to 100+ in the final overs. Pakistan need to build the batting around him. The biggest concerns are batters like Asif Ali. I don't think he is suited for ODIs. You need to concentrate on replacements for Hafeez and Malik. Babar is least of your problems. He will end up as one of the best from your country. Stop putting more pressure on him. As of now post 2019 WC, I only see Haris Sohail, Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman as the batters. Who is going to be the rest? Have they played enough?

What happens if Hafeez gets blown away by Steyn, Rabada and Ngidi in SA early next year? I am not convinced about Imam-ul-Haq as well, he is too one dimensional in his style. If Fakhar gets out for a low score, Pakistan batting has a sameness which will put them under pressure while chasing a big total or while setting a target.

What is this pressure situation? Even Kohli has been a serial choker ICC tournaments. Babar Azam is on track to be the best LOI batsman for Pakistan. He has rarely been out of form in ODIs and never in T20Is.

They will say the wasn't a pressure situation which it clearly was had he gone early I am sure we would have struggled for 300 with sarfraz and co following him. He should bat at 5 with mental midget shafiq playing at 6, can't wait to get rid of him.

Well done to Babar. This was indeed a pressure situation which he handled well alongside Haris. Hope he can replicate this in tough ODI chases which should be expected of him being Pakistan's best bat.

These same people making him look like a total failure (by their faulty analysis) will complain if he was dropped...this guy is at an age when only Miandad (out of all our past greats) was mature enough to lead the batting. And Miandad and rest had the luxury of having excellent and experienced batsmen in the team to learn from. Who is in this team that he can learn from Hafeez or Sarfraz; Azhar is good but he is too limited to teach Babar anything except block, block, and block?

Give him couple of years more and he will be running away like a Ferrari with no speed limiter attached!

Batted like Azam for a session before inevitably channeling his inner Akmal when the pressure got intense. I am not taking anything positive from this pressure innings, however, his consistency in Test cricket this year has been the only positive for me.